Improvement in snap-hooks



J. SPUOK. Snap-Hooks.

No. 220,313. Patented Oct. 7, 1879.

ATTEET.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN SPUOK, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

, IMPROVEMENT IN SNAP-HOOKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 220,313, dated October 7, 1879; application filed August 16, 1877,

scribed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a snap-hook containing my improvement. Fig. 2 is a side view of a modification showing a spiral spring.

A is hook proper, with a shank, B, formed for engagement with a tug or other strap by means of a plate or eye, or by any other suitable means. 0 is a latch-bar, hinged to the point ofthe hook, and arranged for its point' to rest against the shank, as shown in Fig. 1, so as to prevent the escape of the hook from any object with which it may be engaged. c is a shoulder or oifset on the hook, against which engages the point of the spring D, the spring acting to hold the latch-pin in the position shown, but allowing its point to be moved away from shank, so as to admitalink or. ring into engagement upon the hook.

The latch may be pushed inward either by the pressure of the opening link upon its outer side or by pressure against the thumb-piece or knob c.

I have shown a.flat spring in Fig.1; but a spiral spring, as shown in Fig. 2, would answer the same purpose, said spring surrounding the pivot-pin of the latch and its ends engaging, respectively, with the hook and latch.

In engaging a ring or link with the hook, when constructed as shown in Fig. 1, the object is first pressed upon the spring D and made to pass between the spring and the latch, and then between the point of the latch and the shank.

When a spiral spring is used, as shown in Fig. 2, the entering link does not come in contact with the spring.

This snap may be made of any suitable size and material, and used in various places in harness and for other purposes.

It will be understood that the pressure of the spring D is outward upon the shoulder c.

I claim as my invention- The combination of the hook A, hinged latchplate 0, pivoted to the point of the hook and having the shoulder c and thumb-piece c, and the spring D, resting against the shoulder 0,

substantially as set forth.

JOHN SPUCK.

Witnesses SAML. KNIGHT, OHAs. HALL. 

